Lundqvist’s biggest save came in the last minute when he robbed Kyle Turris on the doorstep with a quick pad stop.
Craig Anderson was nearly as good, keeping the Senators in it with a 22-save effort.
Ottawa was without captain Daniel Alfredsson, who sustained a concussion in Game 2 when he was elbowed in the head by Rangers rookie Carl Hagelin. Hagelin served the first of a three-game NHL suspension for the hit.
Bruins 4 Capitals 3: In Washington, Zdeno Chara scored the tiebreaking goal during 4-on-4 play with less than 2 minutes left, and reigning Stanley Cup champion Boston solved playoff rookie goalie Braden Holtby and beat Washington to take a 2-1 lead in the first-round series.
Chara’s shot from the right circle appeared to get deflected on its way past Holtby. The Bruins captain also had two assists.
Tim Thomas, last season’s playoff MVP, made 29 saves and ignored the taunting from fans who held up photos of President Barack Obama, reminding Boston’s goalie that he turned down a trip to the White House in January with his teammates.
Game 4 is Thursday in Washington. After that, the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series shifts back to Boston for Game 5 on Saturday.
Brian Rolston, Rich Peverley and Daniel Paille also scored for the Bruins.
Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Brooks Laich got Washington’s goals. Blues 4 Sharks 3: In San Jose, California, Andy McDonald scored one goal and set up another in the second period to help St. Louis regain home-ice advantage in its first-round series against San Jose with a win in Game 3.
Patrik Berglund, Jason Arnott and Alexander Steen added power-play goals, and Brian Elliott made 26 saves in place of injured Jaroslav Halak as the Blues won their second straight following a double-overtime loss in Game 1 to take a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 is Thursday in San Jose.
Brent Burns, Colin White and Logan Couture scored for the Sharks, who again struggled to find answers against St. Louis, losing for the sixth time in seven meetings this season.
After going more than eight years between playoff victories, the second-seeded Blues have now put together back-to-back postseason wins.
Five players had at least two points apiece with McDonald recording two assists to go with his goal, and defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo helping out on three goals.
Colin White scored with 3:02 remaining and Logan Couture added a goal with 18.5 seconds left for the Sharks, but it was far too late for a comeback.
